Working with developing countries - Africa
Information is available as follows:
- The African Springboard - carbon market in Africa
- Advancing Capacity to Support Climate Change Adaptation
- Defra/DFID Study on Climate Change in Africa
The African Springboard - carbon market in Africa
This scheme to boost sustainable development and carbon market investment in Africa was announced on 12 December 2007 at the UN Climate Conference in Bali by UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.
The African Springboard – a partnership between the UK Government and major UK-based financial firms – will be a for-profit company to develop Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in sub-Saharan African countries that have so far benefited little from carbon market investment.
Advancing Capacity to Support Climate Change Adaptation
Defra is supporting a new project – Advancing Capacity to Support Climate Change Adaptation (ACA) – which aims to bring together stakeholder and scientific communities of the developing world to enable and support effective adaptation decisions that would reduce vulnerability to climate and environmental change while also promoting sustainable development. The project will support 9 pilot actions in Asia and Africa.
The UK Government has pledged €0.3m for a start-up phase and another €0.3m for implementation of the pilot actions. Application has been made to the European Commission for the balance of €1.1m and a decision is pending.
The initiative will be managed by a partnership that includes the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Geneva, Switzerland), and the International START Secretariat (Washington, USA), as well as others. The project is due to start in late 2005.
Defra/DFID Study on Climate Change in Africa
In June 2004, Defra and DFID commissioned a study to review what information was available on climate change in Africa, and evaluate the adequacy of existing data to inform policy decisions. The study added considerable value by identifying these knowledge gaps and what needs to be done to fill them.
The first progress report of the study identified a number of key issues, namely:
- significant deficiencies in climate observation networks
- a lack of understanding of basic climate processes in Africa
- a small, diffuse scientific base
- a lack of forecasting skill and capacity to engage with policymakers
The need to improve the latter has been backed up by the African Centre for Applications of Meteorological and Climate for Sustainable Development for Africa, an international review of Regional Climate Forums, major NGOs, and the UNDP. Other areas of the developing world share this priority.
This study concluded that there are huge gaps in observation data and the ability to accurately model seasonal and long term climate change. More accurate seasonal forecasting is, for example, key to improved agricultural output and food security, as well as disaster prevention (e.g. through flooding). Better long term modelling will also allow climate change impacts to be measured and thereafter considered within national development plans.
- African climate report - more information and the text of the report
Page last modified: 09 December, 2005
Page published: 9 June 2004